How a drunken Redskins fan ruined the NFL for Harry Reid

A Redskins’ helmet at the team training center. (Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports)

Much has been written about Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid turning down an offer from Washington’s NFL team to watch a game in person.

Yes, it’s got a lot to do with owner Daniel Snyder refusing to change the Redskins name, which Reid and other senators say is offensive. But apparently Reid didn’t have a good experience at the one Washington game he went to in the 1980s, shortly after arriving in town as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

“It was cold and before halftime somebody stumbled and fell and dumped a beer down my back, not on purpose,” Reid told the Las Vegas Review Journal. “If they did it today, I’d think they’d be doing it on purpose. But I think he just had too much to drink.”

Reid told the Las Vegas reporter that he cheers for the Washington NFL team, but other sports rise to his must-watch list before pro football. As fans of the Washington Nationals know, Reid considers himself one of them and talks frequently about outfielder Bryce Harper, who hails from the Las Vegas area.

“I’d rather go to a baseball game. I’d rather watch a tennis match,” Reid said. “I’d rather watch soccer. I’m glad people enjoy football, but I don’t enjoy it that much. I do like college football.”